The Texas Rangers have finalized their pitching plans for the remainder of their four-game American League West series against the Los Angeles Angels, officially lining up Jacob deGrom for Thursday's finale.
Texas announced Wednesday that Cal Quantrill will start the third game of the series before deGrom takes the mound in Thursday's finale. The decision gives the Rangers their ace in the series' final matchup as they continue chasing the Houston Astros atop the division.
The Rangers confirmed the rotation order through their official public relations account, with Quantrill scheduled to face Angels rookie George Klassen on Wednesday before deGrom opposes Walbert Ureña in Thursday's game.
The timing carries added importance in the AL West race. Texas entered Wednesday with a 60-60 record, sitting just 0.5 games behind the first-place Astros. The Angels, meanwhile, were 46-74, remaining in last place after another difficult season.
Quantrill will try to help Texas bounce back from Tuesday's 3-2 defeat. The veteran right-hander enters with a 4-4 record, 3.56 ERA and 1.19 WHIP, while Klassen is still searching for his first major league victory, carrying a 0-1 record and 7.27 ERA into his fourth career start.
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Thursday's finale features the marquee pitching matchup, with deGrom drawing the assignment against Ureña. The two-time Cy Young Award winner owns an 8-7 record, 3.87 ERA and 1.13 WHIP this season and is coming off a strong outing against the Baltimore Orioles in which he struck out nine batters over five innings.
The Rangers continue to navigate the loss of Nathan Eovaldi, making Quantrill's move into the rotation an important short-term adjustment. If Texas can split the final two games of the series, it will remain within striking distance of Houston as the AL West race enters a pivotal stretch of the regular season.
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